Challenges of infection control capacity in the Middle Eastern countries; time to be actively involved

Alshamrani, Majid M.; El-Saed, Aiman; Farahat, Fayssal

doi:10.1016/j.jiph.2022.03.010

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 15 publications

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“… 93 In addition, social restrictions implemented within GCC Countries to reduce COVID-19 transmission may have had an impact on IMD case numbers. 93 , 94 It is hoped that as the pandemic impact subsides, that recent initiatives to strengthen infectious disease surveillance and disease control within the GCC, such as the joint initiative between the WHO and the GCC Centre for Infection Control (GCC-CIC), 95 can facilitate the more detailed reporting and publication necessary to evaluate additional unmet immunization needs, and also progress of individual GCC Countries toward the WHO’s ‘Defeating meningitis by 2030’ goal. Such data would also inform decision-making on strengthening the existing immunization strategies for Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage such as the use of MenB vaccines and any need to consider similar strategies for other mass gathering events within the GCC.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meningococcal disease within the Gulf Cooperation Council Countries

Awaidy

Ozudogru

Badur³

2023

Human Vaccines & Immunotherapeutics

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This review reports on the recent epidemiology of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Countries (focusing from 2012 onwards), the existing immunization strategies and the potential for IMD resurgence. MenACWY vaccination is now established in infant or adolescent immunization programs in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates. At present, GCC Countries do not include MenB immunization. National health surveillance reports indicate a total of 156 IMD cases reported across the GCC Countries between 2012 and 2021; between 30% and 80% of cases were reported in individuals aged ≥15 years. Lack of serogroup data hinders the assessment of vaccine impact and decision-making on additional vaccine introductions (e.g. MenB immunization). Hajj/Umrah pilgrimage and the increasing number of large-scale commercial and social events held in the GCC Countries pose a potential risk for future IMD outbreaks. Immunization policies for such events could be strengthened.

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